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When you cannot triumph, don't lose - according to traditional wisdom.

Prior to their trip to Nottingham Forest, Manchester United had gained only eight points from deficit situations under Ruben Amorim. They had not got any from the previous six games when they were losing since the match to AFC Bournemouth last spring, when a late effort secured a tie.

When they found themselves trailing at the stadium after conceding two goals in a couple of minutes, as Forest reversed a controversial first-half opener, Manchester United were staring down the barrel.

The question to the manager after his side recovered to draw could not have been more direct.

Had that match occurred the previous campaign, do you believe it would have ended in defeat?'

The response was equally decisive.

"Absolutely, and by more goals, in my opinion."

We can never know the actual outcome. What we do know that Amad Diallo showed why the coach picks him at defensive wing by flashing home a brilliant volleyed strike from near the edge of the penalty area nine minutes from time to earn a point.

It's been clear since the beginning of the season that Manchester United are performing at a higher level this season. Since the beginning of autumn, they have also been getting better results.

The resolve, the will, the refusal to give in are intangibles.

In this match, Amorim believed his players demonstrated they have improved at that as well.

"Previously, if we had such a poor short period and we suffered two goals, we don't recover," stated the coach. "Now is a distinct feeling. It's evident we might not triumph in the match but we are not going to lose. And that is a feeling a major club occasionally has to have."

The manager didn't mention it, but the arrival of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo must have helped.

Cunha is not one to shy away from difficult situations, quite the reverse indeed. In the opening period, when he was booed by the local supporters for what they believed was his tactical play, he responded - instead of ignoring them - gesturing toward the badge on his kit.

Mbeumo is a constant threat, the perfect example of a footballer who will never allow an opponent any rest.

The coach was questioned exactly what had caused the mental improvement. Apart from mentioning the self-belief gained from the previous three consecutive victories, he didn't provide an answer.

"Our self-belief, naturally, is totally changed," he said. "We came from three positive performances and we have a different assurance. The players comprehend one another better. We talk more about these aspects.

"We demonstrated this year we can have bad moments but then, we produce three strong performances.

"It's essential to be inside the game until the final 10 minutes. In the past, we could have collapsed completely the way we played the game. Now, the impression was not that one."

Uncertainty Remains Regarding Futures of the striker and Mainoo

While this represented a day when the team displayed their resilience, it was also a day that likely created the Dutch forward and Kobbie Mainoo even more unsure of their roles in Amorim's revamped Manchester United.

In his pre-match media briefing, Amorim stated it was likely players who believe they are at risk of missing the World Cup will request transfers in the winter transfer window.

One can reasonably conclude the striker and Mainoo fit into that bracket. The forward has accumulated 82 minutes from his 4 top-flight cameo roles in the current campaign. For Mainoo, the total is 138 from 7.

Neither has begun a Premier League match this season and nor were they asked to be substituted on at the City Ground, as the team sought a route to recovery into a game they were losing from the 50th minute.

"We have a lot of talent on the substitutes but sometimes I have the feeling if I'm going to stop the flow all the time, I'm going to break something," explained Amorim. "We were improving during the later stages, so my feeling was to avoid altering the setup with the guys in front."

The midfielder had a agreement in place to join Napoli in the last days of the transfer period but the club would not sanction a transfer. Zirkzee was returning from a fitness issue but is now open to the possibility of a move back to Italy.

The circumstances is complicated by the loss of Mbeumo and the wing-back to the Africa Cup of Nations in the midst of December, a time which includes a couple of weekday matches which will require a degree of rotation not previously needed.

As the final is on January 18th, the duo are expected to be back well before the transfer window ends on 2 February - which could result in a later outcome than any wantaway individual would prefer.

"It is the demands of the sport," said Amorim, when questioned specifically about the forward and Mainoo. "The players understand it's only a phase.

"It isn't related to ability - and we have a lot of games."